Dean Skerrett called the meeting to order at 10:31 a.m. The minutes of February 21, 2012 meeting were approved.
Discussion Agenda:
1.403(b) Retirement Plan Changes
Dean Skerrett introduced Laura Dietrick and Carl Sorenson from Human Resources(HR) and asked them to lightly touch on the staff salary benchmarking project. Carl mentioned Human Resources has been working over a year on a process to identify and compare organizations for which they can benchmark staff salaries and to create a salary structure that is competitive with our identified market. Around 500 staff positions have currently been benchmarked and HR feels confident that there is consistency across the University. Individuals will be notified of any adjustments on May 11th by a letter from Human Resources and the market adjustments will be effective July 1st.
Laura Dietrick referenced a letter that was sent to those who contribute to a 403(b) plan. The University will be consolidating funds effective June 1. Some funds that are now offered will be closing and current and future contributions will be mapped to new funds. A committee was established to assess expenses, performance, and how the fund performs in the current market. This will be an ongoing process and the committee will meet quarterly. Representatives will be on campus for 1 on 1 sessions to answer any questions before changes go into effect. All changes must be done via internet or by contacting the TIAA-CREF office by phone.
2.Subject Rule
Suzanne Jones (English) moved that the subject rule be changed from the Arts & Sciences catalog
“In no case may a student count more than 17.5 units from a single subject area toward the minimum number of units necessary for graduation” to
“ A student may not count more than 17.5 units from a single subject area toward the minimum number of units necessary for graduation. In certain rare circumstances, when a student has the written support of the department chair, she or he may petition the Arts and Sciences Academic Council to exceed the limit.” The motion carried.
3.Library Renovations
Kevin Butterfield, Interim University Librarian, discussed the renovation plans for Boatwright Library. New additions will include around 20,000 square feet for quiet study space, 7 new group study rooms, 6 new individual study rooms, 2 seminar rooms and around 17,000 square feet of compact shelving space. The library is currently in phase two of the renovation process. Kevin presented Council with a visual presentation on renovations by floor and explained the renovations in detail. Kevin mentioned the library has been working with the Arts Initiative to see how they may be able to utilize the new space. A question was asked if the seminar rooms would be available for First Year Seminar classes. Kevin informed Council that these seminar rooms would be available for smaller instruction, such as larger scale tutoring.
4. Dean’s Comments:
The dean is completing a 3-year budget next year to enable A&S to converge with the University’s 5-year budget plan. Dean Skerrett mentioned that newly tenured or promoted faculty were not given bonuses in their recent contract, as all salaries were set according to merit.
The dean has submitted a proposal for review by the provost and president, which may allow us to benchmark salaries by rank against peer schools.
There will be a discussion to revisions of the merit review process at the March 29th A&S faculty meeting and a vote will be held at the April 19th A&S faculty meeting.
4. Career Development Center
Vincent Wang gave a brief report on his recent meetings with the Career Development Center (CDC). The CDC is working to adopt a more holistic approach and is searching for ways where A&S and CDC can work together. There is a perception that the CDC is best suited for business school students and the CDC is working to eliminate that perception. There are now 5 new advisors that serve as department liaisons who will work under the CDC director. Vincent encouraged Council to have faculty work with the CDC on their pursuit to provide a better picture of students paths after graduation by adding more A&S majors to promotional materials and feature stories.
5. Announcements:
Pat Brown, Senior Associate Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, invited everyone to the U.S. Mexico Paradigm in the 21st Century symposium. This symposium will be held March 28th at 6:30p.m. and will discuss contemporary politics and cultural conceptions or misconceptions between the two countries.
The meeting adjourned at 11:47 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Zandria Ivy
1.403(b) Retirement Plan Changes
Dean Skerrett introduced Laura Dietrick and Carl Sorenson from Human Resources(HR) and asked them to lightly touch on the staff salary benchmarking project. Carl mentioned Human Resources has been working over a year on a process to identify and compare organizations for which they can benchmark staff salaries and to create a salary structure that is competitive with our identified market. Around 500 staff positions have currently been benchmarked and HR feels confident that there is consistency across the University. Individuals will be notified of any adjustments on May 11th by a letter from Human Resources and the market adjustments will be effective July 1st.
Laura Dietrick referenced a letter that was sent to those who contribute to a 403(b) plan. The University will be consolidating funds effective June 1. Some funds that are now offered will be closing and current and future contributions will be mapped to new funds. A committee was established to assess expenses, performance, and how the fund performs in the current market. This will be an ongoing process and the committee will meet quarterly. Representatives will be on campus for 1 on 1 sessions to answer any questions before changes go into effect. All changes must be done via internet or by contacting the TIAA-CREF office by phone.
2.Subject Rule
Suzanne Jones (English) moved that the subject rule be changed from the Arts & Sciences catalog
“In no case may a student count more than 17.5 units from a single subject area toward the minimum number of units necessary for graduation” to
“ A student may not count more than 17.5 units from a single subject area toward the minimum number of units necessary for graduation. In certain rare circumstances, when a student has the written support of the department chair, she or he may petition the Arts and Sciences Academic Council to exceed the limit.” The motion carried.
3.Library Renovations
Kevin Butterfield, Interim University Librarian, discussed the renovation plans for Boatwright Library. New additions will include around 20,000 square feet for quiet study space, 7 new group study rooms, 6 new individual study rooms, 2 seminar rooms and around 17,000 square feet of compact shelving space. The library is currently in phase two of the renovation process. Kevin presented Council with a visual presentation on renovations by floor and explained the renovations in detail. Kevin mentioned the library has been working with the Arts Initiative to see how they may be able to utilize the new space. A question was asked if the seminar rooms would be available for First Year Seminar classes. Kevin informed Council that these seminar rooms would be available for smaller instruction, such as larger scale tutoring.
4. Dean’s Comments:
The dean is completing a 3-year budget next year to enable A&S to converge with the University’s 5-year budget plan. Dean Skerrett mentioned that newly tenured or promoted faculty were not given bonuses in their recent contract, as all salaries were set according to merit.
The dean has submitted a proposal for review by the provost and president, which may allow us to benchmark salaries by rank against peer schools.
There will be a discussion to revisions of the merit review process at the March 29th A&S faculty meeting and a vote will be held at the April 19th A&S faculty meeting.
4. Career Development Center
Vincent Wang gave a brief report on his recent meetings with the Career Development Center (CDC). The CDC is working to adopt a more holistic approach and is searching for ways where A&S and CDC can work together. There is a perception that the CDC is best suited for business school students and the CDC is working to eliminate that perception. There are now 5 new advisors that serve as department liaisons who will work under the CDC director. Vincent encouraged Council to have faculty work with the CDC on their pursuit to provide a better picture of students paths after graduation by adding more A&S majors to promotional materials and feature stories.
5. Announcements:
Pat Brown, Senior Associate Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, invited everyone to the U.S. Mexico Paradigm in the 21st Century symposium. This symposium will be held March 28th at 6:30p.m. and will discuss contemporary politics and cultural conceptions or misconceptions between the two countries.
The meeting adjourned at 11:47 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Zandria Ivy
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